Listen Up! My Fave Parenting Podcasts by Kristin Shorten

Photo by Hello Pinecone

LISTEN UP! MY FAVE PARENTING PODCASTS

During days at home with my little monkey, I like to have something light playing in the background. During breastfeeds, I’ll pop in my earphones and lose myself while cuddling my cutie. And, when out on pram walks, I often feed my craving for adult conversation while bub soaks up the scenery. Which is why I’m obsessed with parenting podcasts.

They’re like weekly catch-ups with good girlfriends, spiritual mamas, super mums, midwives and parenting experts. They’ve been a sanity-saver and lifeline to the outside, adult world when I’m knee-deep in nappies and mashed banana.

The stories I’ve heard while pounding the pavement and playing on the floor have comforted, inspired and educated me. They’ve reassured me that most of my challenges are universal and that most mothers share similar struggles. They’ve given me with a crash course in raising kids and taught me what to expect in coming years. They’ve offered valuable tips, advice and guidance. They’ve made me a more informed mama. And most of all, they’ve made me feel less alone.

Some are smart, witty and funny. Some are more serious and science-y. But all of those listed below are fun, easy listening and bloody good company. Enjoy!

This is not the place for “perfect parents”. This is a weekly look at parenting as it truly is – confusing, exhausting, inspiring, completely full of surprises and very messy. Join Andrew Daddo, broadcaster, author of children’s books and father of three, and Holly Wainwright, editor, writer and mother of two, as they unpack what parents are really talking about. From toddlers to teenagers, it’s all the disasters and delights of parenting, made real.

Have you ever looked at another women and thought, “how does she do it?” This podcast will answer that question. It’s conversations with some of the busiest women we know. We’ll hear the tips and strategies, from balancing children and budgets, to their career and health. For every woman who has looked at another woman and wondered, “how does she manage her life?” this is your podcast.

If you believe the images on social media, parenting is a piece of cake. Smiling babies – blissed-out Mums – perfectly styled homes. The Motherhood is a podcast, which is ready to explore the truth. Join Channel 7 journalist Jodie Speers and award-winning blogger Lauren Dubois as they discuss the joys and frustrations of being a modern parent, look for ways to make life easier, keep their brains ticking, and have a bloody good laugh along the way.

The parenting show for everyone. Hosted by This American Life contributor and author Hillary Frank. Hillary’s daughter Sasha was born in February 2010. Hillary created the Longest Shortest Time as a bedside companion for parents who want to hear in the middle of the night (or day—what’s the difference, really?) that they are not alone. And that as never-ending as any parenting stage seems, it doesn’t last forever. Non-parents report that the show helps them relate better to their own parents, and to their friends who have kids.

Want to learn how to get your baby to sleep better, your toddler to eat something other than Goldfish, and your big kid to go to bed without making a Federal case about it? Alexis Dubief from the Precious Little Sleep blog, along with a diverse group of smart parents from across the globe, break down everything related to parenting and sleep in a concise, conversational format. Co-hosted by Alexis Dubief, Melissa Brander, Katka Gabris, Ashby Mizell, and Elisabeth Nadin.

Each episode addresses a reader’s parenting issue through the lens of Janet’s respectful parenting philosophy. Janet is a respected parenting expert, author, and guest lecturer whose website (JanetLansbury.com) is visited by millions of readers annually. Her work informs, inspires, and supports caregivers of infants and toddlers across the globe, helping to create relationships of respect, trust, and love.

Raising Children Network’s Warren Cann speaks monthly with Jacinta Parsons on 3RRR’s Detour program on all matters parenting. They discuss practical ideas to support parents in their day-to-day parenting decisions all the way from newborns to teenagers.

Mothering can be an inspired journey to our most glittering, authentic, passionate, creative and connected selves. Through the mirror offered to us by our children, we are taken to every hurt, unmet need, and also every joy and excitement we’ve ever experienced. We want every woman and mother to give themselves and those around them the compassion, love and healing they so readily offer their children, but rarely allow themselves. Journey with us as we discuss the many layers of being a mother today, where we have come from and where we want to go. Learn tools to connect with yourself, offer compassion to those parts we’d rather deny and get back in love with yourself, motherhood and who you are as a feminine woman.

Atomic Moms is a weekly parenting podcast about the joys and complexities of caring for our little ones and ourselves. Ellie Knaus celebrates and commiserates with best-selling authors, parenting experts, and caregivers all over the world in order to share their unique stories in the universal experience of raising a child. Topics range from health and fitness, sleep training, postpartum, nutrition, attachment parenting, same sex parenting, adoption, home birth, resilience, c-sections, traveling with kids, working mom guilt, sex after baby, core values, to surviving the good old in-laws.

Hi, we’re Liz Gumbinner and Kristen Chase of CoolMomPicks.com. We’ve got a microphone and more than the two minutes the Today Show gives us, and we’re not afraid to use them. Join us for parenting culture discussions, non-judgy (mostly) tips, and humour, if we’ve had enough coffee. “Spawned is the best podcast ever! I love Kristen and Liz. I even schedule my shoot days around the new episodes.” – What Jennifer Garner might say if she ever listened to it.

***Special addition***

This isn’t a parenting podcast per se but I have massive mum crushes on its girl boss hosts, who pepper their episodes with inspiring insights into how they combine motherhood with their creative hustles, so I had to include it.

Being boss is owning who you are and making things happen. Emily Thompson and Kathleen Shannon believe in building a business you love, making bank, and being unapologetically who you are 100% of the time. They have a combined experience and expertise in branding and coaching small online businesses to be more boss in work and life by focusing on “boss” mindsets, habits & routines, tools, tactics & strategies, blended with a little bit of hustle.

Kristin is a new mama, wife, journalist and Day for Daniel ambassador. Her daughter and husband are the lights of her life. Her little loves are healthy food, yoga, reading and podcasts. Believes that a cup of tea fixes everything. She is currently in the Northern Territory, Australia, where she spends her days leaning into motherhood and outrunning crocodiles.